The Indianapolis Colts were without six starters because of injury on Wednesday as the week of practice began for their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts have a consequential matchup ahead of them on Sunday afternoon as they hit the road to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts (7-1) are currently the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed while the Steelers (4-3) are No. 4. However, both sides are a bit banged up.
Indy was missing six starters as well as their return specialist on the practice field on Wednesday, while Pittsburgh was without five of their own starters.
Here's how each team's health is shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon's battle:
COLTS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — S Nick Cross (shoulder), WR Josh Downs (hip), DE Samson Ebukam (knee), G Matt Goncalves (personal), WR Anthony Gould (knee), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles), OT Braden Smith (rest), DT Grover Stewart (foot)
- Full Participant — CB Jaylon Jones (IR-hamstring)
We will continue to monitor the statuses of starters Downs, Cross, and Stewart throughout the week. Downs' direct replacement would be Gould, but he is also injured.
Ebukam and Lewis both missed last week's game with their injuries.
Goncalves is dealing with the death of his father, so he is currently away in mourning.
Moore has been dealing with the Achilles since late in Week 3, but made his return in Week 7. His injury is being managed, and Wednesday's day off may have been part of that.
STEELERS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT Daniel Ekuale (knee), S DeShon Elliott (knee), C Zach Frazier (calf), TE Pat Freiermuth (quadricep), WR Scott Miller (finger), G Isaac Seumalo (pectoral), TE Jonnu Smith (rest)
- Limited Participant — WR Ben Skowronek (neck)
- Full Participant — LB Malik Harrison (knee), QB Will Howard (right hand), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
Pittsburgh was missing some interesting players on Wednesday. Interior offensive line starters Frazier and Seumalo are a lot to be missing at once, as is Elliott on defense. The Steelers traded for New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger on Tuesday as a result.
Freiermuth being injured is also a concern, although the Steelers lead the NFL in three-tight-end usage with him, Smith, and Darnell Washington.
The Colts and Steelers face off on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The game can be viewed on CBS.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.
